Metro-east coroner IDs man found by kayakers in park lake
The St. Clair County coroner has released the name of the man whose body was spotted by kayakers Friday in a lake at Frank Holten State Park.
Demontray M. Collins, 25, was identified as the person found in the lake, St. Clair County Coroner Calvin Dye Sr. said.
Collins was pronounced deceased at the scene at 9:41 a.m. His last known address was in the 1800 block of Central Avenue in East St. Louis, Dye said.
The cause of death has not been announced. An autopsy has not yet been scheduled, Dye said.
Illinois State Police released a statement saying Collinsville-based Troop 8 was contacted at 8:33 a.m. in regard to a deceased body floating in a lake at the park located near East St. Louis.
“Two gentlemen kayaking on the lake observed the body and called 911. St. Clair County Special Emergency Services retrieved the body from the water,” the statement said.
The state police’s Public Safety Enforcement Group responded.
“This investigation is in its infancy stages,” the police news release said.
And there is no further police information available at this time, ISP officials said.
The park is in the 7300 block of Lake Drive.
Residents in the area of Interstate 255 and Interstate 64 saw emergency crews on scene and a body being lifted from the water.
This story was originally published July 4, 2025 at 5:05 PM.
